A pub sold to a developer is to be turned into flats, according to reports.  

The Royston Arms in Chingford Mount Road closed in September after being sold by Stonegate Ltd to development estate agency, Kingsbury, for £1.1 million.

Now, Kingsbury have reportedly sold it on for in excess £2.2million. 

No planning application has yet been submitted to Waltham Forest council. 

There were various rumours about future use, including a mosque and a supermarket. 

But people working for businesses nearby have told the Guardian it is likely to become flats.

One business owner, who said he was friends with the landowner and asked not to be named, said: "They plan to turn it into flats." 

John Prangnell is a mechanic at Grays Tyre and Exhaust Centre, situated next door to the Royston Arms. 

He said: "My friend knows the owner. It is father and son from Chigwell. They bought it with no planning but I reckon it will be flats. 

"I wouldn't mind as we need more housing in Waltham Forest, particularly family homes." 

A volunteer at the Chingford Islamic Society, which has two premises opposite the pub and attracts around 450 worshippers for Friday prayers, confirmed it tried to buy the pub.

In the past three years, the society has twice had plans rejected to expand its main building by converting a former nail shop and flat next door. 

Ishaq Mirza explained: "We offered £2.2 million but the developers were asking for £2.5 million. We were outbidded. 

"We are looking for a venue to expand as we only have the capacity for 150 people and have to hold three sessions whereas we would like to hold just one."

Waltham Forest council has issued tree preservation orders (TPO) on all of the mature trees in the pub's beer garden after some were cut down illegally. 

Michael Cole's, of Sinclair Road, said she saw two men chopping down the 50ft trees two weeks ago. 

"They came at around four in the afternoon over the course of a week and chopped down four of them," he added.

"Then they came back and used this machine to completely level the stubs off at ground level. 

"I suspect they've cut them down to get access with lorries through Westward Road as there's no other way of getting heavy machinery around the back."

A council spokesman said: "A Tree Preservation Order was served on October 10 and protects a group of 13 Limes. This was in response to the loss of around four trees on the site."